Why the “Old Person’s Cancer” Narrative is Hurting Young Australians

“Isn’t that an old person’s cancer?”

If you’re a younger adult diagnosed with bowel cancer, there’s a good chance you’ve heard that line, maybe even from a doctor. And while it’s not entirely false (bowel cancer is more common in older Australians), it’s also dangerously misleading. Because right now, more and more young Aussies are being diagnosed. And many of us are being diagnosed late, because we didn’t fit the age profile people expect.

Where the narrative came from

Let’s be fair, for decades, bowel cancer was largely a disease of people over 50. That’s why Australia’s national screening program focused on that age group. And the truth is, that screening program has saved lives. A lot of them. If you’re over 50 (now 45), you get a free test kit in the mail every two years. It’s simple, it’s effective, and it works.

But here’s the problem: when the government says, “You don’t need to be screened until 50 (now 45),” the message many people hear is, “You don’t need to worry about bowel cancer until then.” And that’s just not true anymore.

Bowel cancer doesn’t check your birth date before it shows up. It’s not waiting politely for your 50th birthday. It’s hitting people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. And in those groups, cases are rising, fast.

What the stats are actually showing

• Bowel cancer is the deadliest cancer for Aussies aged 25–44.
• 1 in 10 new bowel cancer cases now occur in people under 50.
• Rates of early-onset bowel cancer are climbing, even while overall bowel cancer rates are dropping, thanks largely to screening in older age groups.

So while the screening program is a win, it’s also part of the problem. Because it reinforces a dangerous belief: that younger people are safe. And too many of us don’t take our symptoms seriously, or get dismissed when we do, because “you’re too young for that.”

What this narrative is costing us

Let’s be clear: the “old person’s cancer” narrative is delaying diagnoses. And in cancer, delayed diagnosis costs lives.

It makes young people ignore blood in their poo. Or explain away weight loss, bloating, or toilet changes as IBS or stress. It makes GPs less likely to refer for tests. It means fewer research dollars get allocated to understanding early-onset cases. And it leaves young patients feeling isolated, like we’re the unlucky exception, not part of a fast-growing group.

Even after diagnosis, the narrative still hurts. Some of us struggle to get life insurance payouts or access superannuation because we “don’t fit the typical profile.” Others are told we’re brave for fighting something that “usually happens when you’re much older.”

It’s exhausting. And it’s avoidable.

We need to reframe the message

It’s time to change how we talk about bowel cancer in Australia. Yes, it’s more common as you age. But no, it’s not only an older person’s disease. And acting like it is? That’s hurting people.

Here’s what we need instead:

• Clearer public awareness that bowel cancer can strike at any age.
• Education campaigns that reach people under 45, especially those with symptoms.
• GPs trained to understand early-onset bowel cancer, not dismiss it as unlikely.
• Young people empowered to advocate for themselves and know the warning signs.

And we’re getting there. Slowly. Bowel Cancer Australia has been pushing this hard for years, especially through their Never Too Young campaign, educating GPs, supporting young patients, and fighting for screening age changes. In 2024, the national screening program finally lowered the starting age to 45, which is a huge win.

But 45 is still too late for a lot of us.

What you can do right now

If you’re a young adult reading this, or you know someone who is, here’s the reality: you’re not too young for bowel cancer. If something feels off, trust your gut (literally). Get checked. Push for answers. It might not be cancer, and hopefully it’s not, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

And if you’re a healthcare provider, friend, family member, or anyone in a position to help? Drop the “old person’s cancer” language. Ask better questions. Support people who are raising concerns about their gut health. Because the quicker we drop that narrative, the more lives we’ll save.

Final thought

This idea that bowel cancer only affects old people is not just outdated, it’s dangerous. If I could say one thing to every young Australian, it would be this: bowel cancer doesn’t care how old you are. And neither should the people who are supposed to keep you safe.